Canadian swimmers making a big splash at Rio 2016

There really isn’t a better way to say it: Canada’s swimmers are making a gigantic splash in the early going in Rio.

With three medals in the first three days of competition, and more shots at the podium yet to come, it’s been a remarkable start for Swimming Canada—and the big moments have come from some unexpected sources.

Canada’s Penny Oleksiak reacts to her silver medal performance in the women’s 100-metre butterfly at the 2016 Summer Olympics on Sunday, August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Then on Monday, 20-year-old Kylie Masse made the most of her first Olympic final, racing to bronze in the 100m backstroke. She had set the Canadian record in that race earlier this year at Olympic Trials.

Then on Monday, Rachel Nicol finished strong in the 100m breaststroke final to claim fifth place. The 23-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan was making her Olympic debut after winning bronze in the event at last summer’s Pan American Games.

With medalists Oleksiak, van Landeghem and Williams already scheduled for more races this week, and the women’s 4×100 medley relay coming up on Friday, there could be even more magic yet to come for Canada in the pool.